New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu, seeking a report on the alleged sexual assault case of 13 girl students during a purportedly fake NCC camp organised at a school in the Krishnagiri district.
The commission asked the authorities to submit a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.
The report should include the status of the FIR and the status of the victim’s health and their counseling, the NHRC said.
The Commission has also directed the State authorities to reach out to the students who attended similar camps organized by the same individual at four other schools in the district to determine if any of them were subjected to abuse or ill-treatment.
“The report should also mention about the steps taken/ proposed to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” it added.
The NHRC took suo motu cognizance of a media report stating that 13 girl students were sexually assaulted in an alleged fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at a private school in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, from August 5th to 9th, 2024.
“41 students including 17 girls attended the camp. Allegedly, a political leader convinced the private school authorities that he would get them a unit of the NCC if they could organize a students’ camp. Four other schools in the district also had organized such camps,” NHRC said.
The Commission observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims. Apparently, the victim girls were subjected to abuse by the perpetrator due to the negligence of the school authorities, it said.
According to the media report, carried on 20th August, 2024, the matter came to light when one of the victims informed the Principal of the school about the incident during the camp. However, the staff reportedly tried to hush up the matter until the girl told her mother, who then approached the police.
TN Govt forms SIT to probe sexual assault on girl students at fake NCC camp : Stalin
Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday ordered setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.
Mr Stalin, who reviewed the situation relating to the incident with senior police officials and government authorities, also ordered constitution of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in future.
Mr Stalin said cases were registered at the Bargur All Women Police Station under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
He said five out of the six fake NCC trainers and four members of the school management, who had not informed the police about holding the NCC camp, were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
Apart from them, the key accused and fake NCC trainer Sivaraman, and another person, who had harboured him, were also arrested.
An official release here said senior IPS officer Ms K Bhavaneeswari will lead the SIT, which was directed to expedite the probe within 15 days and file the chargesheet within 60 days.
It said the MDT will be led by Social Welfare Department Secretary Jayashree Muralidharan and comprise representatives from the police and the school education departments.
It will also make recommendations to ensure the well-being of the affected children.
Mr Stalin also directed the authorities to ensure stringent punishment for all those involved in the incident, it added.
It may be recalled that a 13-year-old girl student of a private school was sexually assaulted at the fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at a private school in Krishnagiri district last week and
11 people, including the prime suspect--fake NCC trainer Sivaraman--have been arrested so far in connection with the incident.
Those arrested included the Principal, Correspondent and other faculty members of the school, for trying to hush up the matter.
Mr Stalin since there were reports similar NCC camps were held in other schools, a probe was on to ascertain whether there are any incidents of sexual abuse on the students.
